Ayatollah Sistani Underlines Protecting Iraqi Demonstrators
TEHRAN (IQNA) – Iraq’s top Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani underlined the need for the country’s security forces to ensure the security of protesters.
In a statement read out by his representative at the Friday prayers in the holy city of Karbala yesterday, Ayatollah Sistani stressed avoiding violence.
He condemned attacks on peaceful demonstrators who are demanding reforms in Iraq, alsumaria.tv reported.
The cleric also called for steps to be taken to hold snap elections in a safe environment.
He urged Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi to pick a government representative of the Iraqi people and fully trusted by them.
“The new government that replaces the outgoing one should be worthy of people's confidence and is capable of alleviating situations and restoring the state prestige and to carry out necessary steps to hold early elections.”
